Chapter 13 Social Class and Sport

Chapter Outline Social Classes Social Class and Sport Activity Control of Amateur and Professional Sport Class Mobility in Sport Chapter Summary

Economic and Class Divisions Social class: The categories of people who share similar positions in society based on their economic level, education, occupation, and social interaction. Social stratification: The assignment of class based on inequalities in society such as power, prestige, and wealth.

Developing Capital Economic capital: The financial resources that one has or controls. These affect how we see the world and our opportunities. Social capital: Resources available to a person based on memberships, relationships, and both social and business networks. Cultural capital: Skills and abilities we have based on education and life experiences.

Discussion Individual opportunities in life are affected by class status. Do you believe that sport transcends social class?

Key Point Capital affects the sports we watch, play, and succeed in.

Upper Class Social class affects sport opportunities. Wealthy (with disposable income) Exclusive memberships, used to build social capital Can afford exceptional coaching and sport experiences (continued)

Upper Class (continued) The highest rates of sport participation Play exclusive sports such as golf, tennis, polo, sailing, horseback riding, skiing More likely to use health and fitness equipment

Middle and Lower Classes Upper-middle class Includes professionals such as lawyers, managers, physicians. Has many sport experiences and opportunities. Middle class Makes careful decisions about expenses. Has many opportunities in community and school- based team sports. (continued)

Middle and Lower Classes (continued) Plays team sports available and subsidized in the community.

Discussion How does social class affect sport involvement, sport opportunities, and leadership or decision-making opportunities in sport?

Access and Barriers to Sport (Elite Level) Cost of high-performance training Requires economic, social, and cultural capital. Top coaching and training can run as high as US$75,000 each year in some individual sports. Costs include coaching, facilities, travel, equipment. (continued)

Access and Barriers to Sport (Elite Level) (continued) Team sports Often run and subsidized by community. Allows most kids to play (coaching more affordable).

Access and Barriers to Sport (High School and Community) High school sport: Affluent schools win more championships Can afford better facilities, equipment, and coaches. Participants start sports earlier and receive more training. Community leagues Serve more children at a modest expense. Offer training even in traditionally upper-class sport.

Discussion What ideas do you have to lower the barriers to sport participation across social classes?

Who Controls Sport? Local communities: Power is in the hands of administrators and boards of directors (parents, politicians). National level: Power is in the hands of the people who control organization’s money. Often from upper class or upper-middle class Media moguls (Rupert Murdoch), league commissioners, and superstar athletes Often white males (see Business Week’s top 10 list)

Key Point People with power in sport have the ability to promote or prevent change in the game.

Social Mobility in Sport (Educational Opportunities) Need to stay academically eligible to play. Possibility exists for athletic scholarships (sport helps build social and cultural capital). College athletes may have more opportunities than nonathletes. Leaders in business often attribute success to lessons learned through sport.

Is Class Mobility in Sport Possible? May be an unrealistic expectation. Only 0.2% of high school athletes play professionally. Best opportunity to advance is through education.